Things You Should Know Before Starting a Job

WHICH AWARD COVERS YOUR WORKPLACE

Awards are Federal legislation that governs the conditions of your workplace including rates of pay and how often you should be getting meal breaks. You should read and print off a copy of the Award your job is covered by and keep it for reference. Common Awards for student jobs include: · Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010 (cafes, restaurants) · Fast Food Industry Award 2010 (McDonalds, KFC and other Fast Food chains) · General Retail Industry Award 2010 (clothing shops and other retail) More Awards can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website: http://www.fairwork.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/awards

THE MINIMUM WAGE IS $19.49 AN HOUR BUT YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO MORE

( $19.49 July 2019-July 2020 when it will be reviewed again) This means that if you are 21 years of age or over you must be paid at least $19.49 if you are part time or full time and $24.36 if you are casual ( $19.49 + 25% casual loading). Some workplaces will pay above award wages.

WHAT JUNIOR RATES OF PAY ARE AND IF YOU’RE AFFECTED BY THEM

If you’re under 21 you might be paid at a junior rate which is a percentage of the adult wage. Check your Award to see if you are affected by them and check if you are being paid the correct amount. An 18 year old under the General Retail Industry Award 2010 receives 70% of the adult wage rate under junior wages.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CASUAL AND PART TIME WORK

Casual – no minimum hours, casual loading of 25% on top of base pay rate, no sick/holiday leave

Part time – set weekly hours, sick and holiday leave

YOUR EMPLOYER CANNOT DEDUCT MONEY FROM YOUR WAGE WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT

It is illegal for your employer to deduct money from your wage for things like money missing from a till or breaking dishes.

YOU HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BE PAID ON TIME AND RECEIVE A PAYSLIP

Payslips have important information including your rate of pay, how many hours you work in your pay period, how much you were taxed and how much Superannuation you have been paid. Keep payslips as record of your work and pay; you will need them as evidence if you are ever underpaid and need to make a claim to get your money back.

SUPERANNUATION PAYMENTS

Superannuation in Australia is compulsory if you are over 18 and earning more than $450 per month before tax. It is paid into your Super fund by your employer on top of your wages for when you retire. The minimum Super rate in Australia in 2016 is 9.50%. If you have had more than one job, make sure you consolidate into one Super fund to avoid paying more fees.

UNPAID TRIALS ARE ILLEGAL

If you’re asked to do a trial shift for work you still must legally be paid for that time, regardless of whether you end up getting the job.

EVERY ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO JOIN A UNION

Unions will protect you and give you advice if anything goes wrong at work. They will also give you the confidence to speak up if you need to approach your boss about increasing wages or addressing health and safety issues. Anyone who tries to intimidate you out of joining a union is breaking the law.

CASH IN HAND JOBS ARE ILLEGAL AND EXPLOIT YOUNG PEOPLE

Cash in hand jobs seem like a good idea since you won’t be paying tax on your wages but for a few extra dollars you give away:

your employer’s 9.5% contribution to your Superannuation

any paid sick or annual leave and paid overtime

any protection from unfair dismissal

being covered by Workcover in the case of an accident or injury

any rights if your employer stops paying you or does not pay you on time

You're Not Alone There is Help Available

If you believe you are being mistreated at work you need to know there is help available to you: